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Winer, who won a Director's Guild Award for his work on ABC's monster hit sitcom, will be behind the camera for Brand's interpretation of the title role that earned Dudley Moore an Oscar nomination some 30 years ago.

Second Takes: There Can Only Be One? Not So, New "Highlander" on the Way

In the original film, Arthur is a drunken millionaire who thumbs his nose at his family's wishes by falling in love with the blue-collar girl next door, played by Liza Minnelli.

The film also earned Sir John Gielgud his only Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actor in the role of Arthur trusty butler-sidekick, Hobson. In Brand's reimagining of the story, the role of Hobson would undergo a sex-change, and would be played by Meryl Streep.

The "Get Him to the Greek" Trailer Has Arrived

The "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" spin-off hits theaters June 4, and judging by the trailer it's about half as smart, twice as funny and equally entertaining. (Published Thursday, March 11, 2010)

As overrated as "Modern Family" is, it is very good, and Winer's hiring speaks to the seriousness with which Brand is assembling talent on this project. Who knows, he just may get Streep after all.

Published at 8:18 AM CST on Mar 2, 2010 | Updated at 1:39 PM CDT on May 30, 2012